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Lee Graves, known as the RVA Beer Guy tells History Replays Today about the history of brewing beer in the Richmond area. ¬†Richmond is going through a huge boon in local brewing but beer has been in the area since the first English explorers came in 1607. The conversation follows beer from its 19th century brewing culture that was heavily populated by the German immigrants, through prohibition and up to the present day.

This is the second part of the conversation that focuses on the creation of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, how it was formed, how it almost never came to be, how it almost became part of Maymont Park, and how it ultimately became what we know now as an amazing park.

This episode features Frank Robinson, the President and CEO of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden talking about Lewis Ginter and his legacy. ¬†Lewis Ginter not only helped shape the tobacco industry in America and built the Jefferson Hotel, but he¬†can also be considered the father of the north side of Richmond, VA.

The link to Lewis Ginter’s¬†blog post that has the picture of the bear cages can be found here.

On this Episode David Voelkel talks about the 1812 John Wickham House, who its occupants were, about 19th century living in general, and his approach to history in general. ¬†David Voelkel is the Director of Collections and the¬†Elise H. Wright Curator of General Collections at The Valentine. ¬†To hear more about The Valentine listen to episode featuring the museum’s director Bill Martin.

On this episode of the podcast the topic is Mary Randolph and her book The Virginia Housewife. ¬†Guests Maureen Egan &¬†Susan Winiecki, the owners of Real Richmond Food Tours¬†are also the founders of Fire, Flour, and Fork.¬† Fire, Flour, and Fork features events that are based on Mary Randolph’s cookbook.

Bryce Van Stavern, the Supervisor of White House Operations at the Museum of the Confederacy discusses the use of balloons for reconnaissance during the American Civil War on this episode. ¬†It can be said this was the first United States Air Force and they flew just outside of Richmond.

Richmond is home to the 6th synagogue established in the US and the Jewish community has been a major part of the city’s history. ¬†On this episode, Grace Zell, a Docent and Administrative Assistant at the Beth Ahabah Museum and Archives¬†discusses the story with History Replays Today.

Topics include but are not limited to the earliest days of the city when it’s earliest Jews settled in Church Hill, Judah Benjamin, who has been called the “Brains of the Confederacy”,¬†the¬†Thalhimers who created one of the largest department stores in Virginia, the first jewish burial ground in Virginia and the only Jewish Civil War Burial ground any where.

Richmond sculptor Paul DiPasquale is the guest on this episode. In Richmond he is best know for his monument for¬†Arthur Ashe on Monument Ave, the Headsman on Brown’s Island and¬†Connecticut which most people know as the Indian that was on the Diamond.

DiPasquale recently finished a police monument and a statue of Neptune on the Virginia Beach Board Walk and a statue of Jimmy Dean.

Dale Wheary is the Curator and Director of Maymont Mansion. ¬†She talks about the history of Maymont and James and Sallie Dooley who left their house and estate Richmond.

There was so much interesting information in this conversation with Wheary that it will be released as a 2 part episode. ¬†This first episode is mostly about the Dooleys and the and the second is mostly about Maymont as a park. ¬†The people and their land is so connected that the topics are only loosely assigned to each episode. ¬†The second part will be released on May 1, 2014.